Growing more as Christians in the New Year...

[Cow Poke]

I've seen a lot of people who become Christians, reach a certain plateau, and just seem to get "stuck" there. Some folks who have been Christians for a long time seem to be on auto-pilot.

I have always made it a conscious decision to focus, at the beginning of the year, on areas of personal growth. Sometimes, life happens, and I don't execute, but there's always "next year".

Is there anything you are going to START or STOP doing this year to further your journey as a Christian?

Please limit these things to actual growth as a Christian, not just "eat more bacon" and stuff like that. Maybe we can encourage each other.

[Scrawly]

I have a tendency to tear down instead of building up - I can speak with venom instead of love. I would like to love God, others, and myself from a pure heart and let me words flow forth from that point. I also want to reach a state where I do not worry about my life or what tomorrow will bring but to be prepared each day to stand before God without shrinking back in shame.

[Cow Poke]

I have a tendency to tear down instead of building up - I can speak with venom instead of love. I would like to love God, others, and myself from a pure heart and let me words flow forth from that point. I also want to reach a state where I do not worry about my life or what tomorrow will bring but to be prepared each day to stand before God without shrinking back in shame.

Thanks, Scrawly... I will add you to my prayers. I also want to be a builder-upper more than a tearer-downer.

[Pentecost]

I know I hold a minority position on this, but I very much want to speak in tongues to edify myself more this year, and I hope to be used to prophesy more this year. I have practical control over the first, but I can only put myself in situations for the second and hope I'm used.

[Cow Poke]

I know I hold a minority position on this, but I very much want to speak in tongues to edify myself more this year,

If I might politely ask.. who told you your job was to edify yourself? Not being argumentative - just wondering if you realize you said that. Are you getting that from 1 Cor 14:4?

and I hope to be used to prophesy more this year. I have practical control over the first, but I can only put myself in situations for the second and hope I'm used.

Since the Holy Spirit gives gifts "severally as He will" (1 Cor 12:11), wouldn't it be better to allow the Holy Spirit to equip you as HE sees fit? Again, not trying to do battle -- just trying to understand your objective here.

[Chaotic Void]

For me, I think the biggest thing is that I need to be more confronting. I could REALLY be ham-handed when I was younger, but now it seems like I've gone to the other extreme where I find it tough to tell someone that they need to grow up.

[Pentecost]

If I might politely ask.. who told you your job was to edify yourself? Not being argumentative - just wondering if you realize you said that. Are you getting that from 1 Cor 14:4?

I see the point you are making, and if all I did was try to build up myself I would certainly be foolish, I see in 1 Corinthians 14 teachings on how to best speak in tongues, privately or with an interpreter. Further, it is made clear in vs 14, that while it may be useful for private prayer, it must be balanced against regular prayer, and presumably prayer should be balanced against good works James 2:14-17, and all of this should be done in a holy manner, 1 Peter 1:16.

Since the Holy Spirit gives gifts "severally as He will" (1 Cor 12:11), wouldn't it be better to allow the Holy Spirit to equip you as HE sees fit? Again, not trying to do battle -- just trying to understand your objective here.

I would mention the desiring of the greater gifts if I were speaking in general, but my post was meant in how I can live differently, and I have prophesied previously, and I believe I have the gift of prophecy, verses 39-40 seem relevant to me.

Does my objective make sense to you now? I am not trying to expand either gift beyond their place, But I believe they should be balanced, not so that I'm taking away from reading Scripture, speaking to God, or even whatever good works I do, but overall I want to do more. I want to do all of these things more, but the two things that have been lacking for me lately are those two I brought up.

[Cow Poke]

I see the point you are making, and if all I did was try to build up myself I would certainly be foolish, I see in 1 Corinthians 14 teachings on how to best speak in tongues, privately or with an interpreter. Further, it is made clear in vs 14, that while it may be useful for private prayer, it must be balanced against regular prayer, and presumably prayer should be balanced against good works James 2:14-17, and all of this should be done in a holy manner, 1 Peter 1:16.

I would mention the desiring of the greater gifts if I were speaking in general, but my post was meant in how I can live differently, and I have prophesied previously, and I believe I have the gift of prophecy, verses 39-40 seem relevant to me.

Does my objective make sense to you now? I am not trying to expand either gift beyond their place, But I believe they should be balanced, not so that I'm taking away from reading Scripture, speaking to God, or even whatever good works I do, but overall I want to do more. I want to do all of these things more, but the two things that have been lacking for me lately are those two I brought up.

And I do not wish to discourage you in any way. We are all on a journey. It just seems that the overall context of growing in Christ is so that we can be more effective in the Kingdom Work, and I believe God's blessings come to us because we are focused on the body, not on our own selves.

That being said, I fully realize I started this thread in the sense of what each of us can do to be more Christlike, so I'm rethinking what I'm asking.

[Pentecost]

And I do not wish to discourage you in any way. We are all on a journey. It just seems that the overall context of growing in Christ is so that we can be more effective in the Kingdom Work, and I believe God's blessings come to us because we are focused on the body, not on our own selves.

That is a good point, I know I have grown much through disciping others, but I see a real call in 1 Corinthians 14, even if it does seem counter-intuitive.

That being said, I fully realize I started this thread in the sense of what each of us can do to be more Christlike, so I'm rethinking what I'm asking.

[Thoughtful Monk]

I want to die to myself more so Christ can live in me more. (Galatians 2:20).

If you want to pray for me, please pray that God will accomplish this in my life.

[Teallaura]

I already started. I've been reading more and working harder at the discipline of prayer. But honestly, the growth I've experienced has all been His doing with no help from me at all.

[One Bad Pig]

I want to die to myself more so Christ can live in me more. (Galatians 2:20).

If you want to pray for me, please pray that God will accomplish this in my life.

This.

[mossrose]

I want to be like Jesus.

[Knowing Thomas]

Two things I really want to improve this year would be:

a) Letting arguments and things that upset me go, not just political or religious ones. Realize that some people have hardened their hearts and minds towards God and that getting into arguments and obsessing over them is the OCD talking. They aren't honest seekers, they just want to rave and rave on the internet. They would look pretty stupid off their computer.
funny-gif-dogs-fighting-Internet-reality.gif
Stop going to certain websites for the purpose of getting myself riled up on the topics above. Help and talk with people in the REAL world more in a constructive environment. All of this is going to be really difficult but I'm going to try.

b) be assertive (neither passive or aggressive) when asked about my faith and neither mince words and become squishy nor become a braggart and a browbeater

[Cow Poke]

b) be assertive (neither passive or aggressive) when asked about my faith and neither mince words and become squishy nor become a braggart and a browbeater

We used to watch Dog Whisperer on Animal Planet, and Cesar Miilan talked about the need to be "Calm Assertive" with your dog. My wife says I am VERY "Calm Assertive" with Jake, and that's why he comes to me when there's a thunderstorm or fireworks -- my Calm Assertive energy.

I have consciously begun trying to be aware of exhibiting that same "energy" around people, and I think it helps.